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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/6/2009 10:07:10 PM
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| i'm new to uship and would like to be a service provider some day. my question is how do you do it legal if all posable? i have looked on http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ but its confusing! i don't know witch link to click on? i would like to ship state to state. what do i need to ship like cars (singe car), small boats,trailers,auto parts,house hold items that kind of thing? i know i would need a cdl but not shure with one? right now all i have is a dodge ram 1500 4x4 with gas engine. i will buy a better truck once i get built up. for now i just want to start of with small stuff for now.can anyone help me out?
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/2/2009 5:02:39 PM
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| CDL why?Only need a cdl if your driving a truck over 26,001 bls.If your going used a sami you need a class A if you going drive over 26,001 but not over 43,000 than you need a class B.Now if your only driving a Dodge ram doesnt matter its a 1500 or 3500 you dont need a cdl.Now what you do need is cargo $25,000 to start.I think will also need a DOT # aswell.DOT # is about $300 to get I think but not sure.CDL licience is nice to have but if your not driving 18 wheelers dont get it.To get your cdl you need to attent a trucking school which can cost any where from $3,000 to $6,000.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/23/2006 12:17:56 PM
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Below is a quick guide and tips to assist a new entrant motor carrier by providing a list of actions and items required. The primary purpose is a guide to assist new comers to establish a legal motor carrier company. Most of it applies to all sizes of property carrying motor carriers, but it was prepared with the single owner-operators utilizing 1 ton trucks and 25' to 40' trailers as the target audience.
It identifies the required item or action you must take; suggests where or how you may obtain or complete it; and in some cases gives an estimated cost. The guide is not in anyway to be considered legal advice or necessarily all inclusive. It is current as of the date posted, but please remember this is only a guide and isn't intended to be all inclusive. If you have specific questions please feel free to post them and someone will try to help you find the answer.
It should also be remembered that minimum requirements are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and some states may have more rigid or restrictive statutes.
Operating Authority (MC Number) http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
$300 one time charge You need an MC number (aka Operating Authority) if:
• You are going to be working for yourself (NOT leased onto another company)
• You are operating interstate (crossing state lines). If you are never leaving your home state, check with your home state for rules and regulations.
• You will be hauling "for hire." This means you will be hauling other people's goods. If you are only hauling your own company's goods, you do not need an operating authority. When signing up, they will ask you what type of carrier you are: I am a "common carrier" this basically means that I do business with anyone. There will be descriptions of each type, but this is what most people will be. I would strongly suggest that you do not get your MC number until you have insurance lined up, or at least gotten real quotes. You will have a certain amount of time to get all paper work in order once you get your USDOT/MC number otherwise they will deactivate you. Once you are deactivated it's an $80 charge to re-activate. It also involves more paperwork that cannot be done online.
US DOT number FREE http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
You need a USDOT number if:
• You are going to be working for yourself (NOT leased onto another company)
• You are operating interstate (crossing state lines). If you are never leaving your home state, check with your home state for rules and regulations.
• Regardless of whether you are hauling "for hire" or "not for hire". So, if you need an MC number, then you must get a USDOT number, but not vice versa. If you are getting an MC number, I would suggest getting the MC and USDOT numbers at the same time. The same warning applies to getting your USDOT number with regard to insurance.
Process Agent/BOC-3 filing $45-$75 per year ....A Process agent is basically someone who the FMCSA has on file who will forward legal papers to you. This is a requirement if you have a USDOT number or an MC number.. Many places will set you up for $55 for a 1 time fee. OOIDA will do this for you for free WITH membership, which costs $45/year.
CDL License Your local DMV/MVC Check your licensing state. Depending on your state, if your gross combination weight rating is more than 26,000 (most states), or if your trailer gross vehicle weight is more than 10,000 (some states?).
So a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel with a 14K gooseneck trailer would have a GCWR of 9000# + 14000# = 23000#. In this case, a CDL is not required in my state. Some states such as North Carolina for example, will require a CDL if your trailer GVWR is over 10,000 lbs. However, since my licensing state does not require a CDL, it has been my experience that I can travel freely to and through all states, including North Carolina (or other states requiring a CDL if the trailer GVWR is over 10,000 lbs), without a CDL.
UCR Registration On line http://www.ucr.in.gov/ About $40.00 All motor carriers authorized to engage in interstate transportation of passengers or property as a common or contract carrier by the Federal Highway Administration (formerly the Interstate Commerce Commission) shall register in the motor carrier's registration state for all states of travel.
Primary Liability Insurance Your insurance agent ...Here there are a lot of variables that determine the cost of your premium. This is "the" topic! Primarily because it will be one of your largest expenses. Here are the requirements:
$750,000 primary liability for non hazardous commercial vehicles over 10,000 GVWR.
$1,000,000 primary liability if you transport flammable fuel powered motor vehicle....cars and trucks
$300,000 for vehicles under 10,001 GVWR.
Hazardous is a whole different ballgame. 5 million liability regardless of weight.
As a "common carrier" (you haul other people's stuff), you also need a minimum of $5,000 of cargo insurance on file. Price per year will depend on your driving history, skills, background, credit, whether or not you have a CDL, etc. Your best bet is to speak with a REAL truck insurance broker. Remember to tell your insurance company or broker that you need Federal insurance filings.
Cargo Insurance Your insurance agent. See above for more info. Cargo coverage for the value of whatever you will be hauling. For a 3 car hauler I suggest $100,000. Minimum required for all "Common" Carriers is $5,000.
DOT Physical Any doctor or outpatient clinic $50 You need a DOT physical every 2 years. Must carry the card on you and keep the long form on file at home. This is one of THE simplest things to do. Here's some more info:
• They will test your eyesight.
• They will take a urinalysis (not for drugs).
• They will make sure you can tell red, green and yellow.
• They will test your hearing.
Other than that, it is basically a regular old physical.
DOT Inspection $50-$100 You need to have your truck and trailer inspected every 1 year. You can technically do this yourself if you are qualified. Regardless of whether you do this yourself, or have someone else do it, you need to keep an "inspector qualification form" on file at your home terminal. This basically proves that whoever inspected your truck is qualified. In addition, keep the long form of the actual inspection in the truck, as well as at your terminal. Finally, I put an inspection sticker (short form) on the outside of the truck. The sticker is not a requirement if you have the long form in the truck I don't think but it can't hurt to have both.
Drug Testing CDL drivers only "The requirements for drug testing are if you hold a CDL and drive a truck over 26,000 pounds, then you have to be in a random drug testing program. If those two are not met, then a random drug testing program is not necessary according to DOT regulations." This is only required for CDL drivers. If you are a CDL driver you need to be drug tested EVEN if you are a 1 man operation. Contact OOIDA for information about joining a drug test consortium.
FMCSA Regulations Rulebook Truck stop $5 Little green book--keep this in your truck. You are required to have access to this.
Vehicle registration Your local DMV/MVC This will depend on the state. In NJ and some other states, you have to register the vehicle as "COMMERCIAL" and get commercial plates. In NJ if you are pulling a trailer (especially if you are considered a tractor), your registration weight must be for the total of your truck and trailer, not just the GVWR of the truck. Please note that if you are over 26,000 lbs you have to do IRPA (apportioned plates) and IFTA (see below). Each state will vary depending on how they tag the truck, but over 26K your best bet is probably to apportion.
Fire Extinguisher Hardware store, home depot. $15-$25 You must have a "5 B:C" or more mounted and gauged fire extinguisher on your truck or trailer. It can't just be lying in the truck. Wherever it is mounted, it must be marked "FIRE EXTINGUISHER" or "FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSIDE".
Safety Triangle Set $10 You must have a DOT approved safety triangle set.
HOS (Hours of Service) Log Book $5 Here is the lowdown on log books.
First of all if your GVWR/GCWR is under 10,001 lbs., you are free to drive as much as you want without stopping and without logging. If you are returning to your home terminal every day and you are not travelling more than 150 nautical miles (1 nautical mile is 1.15 miles) then you do not need to keep a log book, but you do need to keep a "RODS" (Record of Duty Status). If you are over 26,000 lbs, this changes from 150 nautical miles to 100 nautical miles.
If you are driving "over the road", i.e. you will not be returning to your home terminal, you must carry an official HOS log book and fill it out every time your status changes. Regardless of whether or not you are returning to the home terminal, you have to follow the "Hours of Service" regulations.
You must be able to show a 7 day history.
Daily Vehicle Inspection Log Book $5 You have to do a pre and post trip inspection of your vehicle every day. Keep copy in the truck and another copy at terminal. A lot of HOS log books will also have a daily vehicle inspection log in the same thing. This is basically going over your truck to make sure everything works-- lights, brakes, couplers, horn, etc.
Bill of Lading Forms $5 You need to have a "Bill of Lading" form filled out, with you, in the truck, for anything that you are hauling (that is not yours).
Spare bulbs and fuses Local auto store $10 Carry spare fuses for truck and trailer lights. Spare bulbs for same.
Mud Flaps ....Depends on vehicle model $10-$30 Mud flaps on the rear wheels. Rules change from state to state. Some states require reflective tape on the mud flaps. Some require them to be no more than 4" above the ground, etc.
IRP IRP is International Registration Plan. Basically it is uniformed registration across all states. You are required to have apportioned plates if you operate in two or more jurisdictions and your vehicle(s) meet one or more of the following requirements:
* the power unit licensing weight is 26,001 lbs., or higher;
* the power unit has more than two axles regardless of licensed weight;
* the power unit is used in combination and the said combination is 26,001 lbs.or higher; or
* the power unit performs commercial intrastate movements in another jurisdiction other than Missouri, regardless of licensed weight.
Please note that a "jurisdiction" is a state, province or DC. This is from the MO DOT page. MO suggests that you need IRPA if you are interstate regardless of licensed weight however to my knowledge this is not correct. You do not need IRPA unless you are over 26,000 lbs. gcwr/gvwr.
IFTA ...IFTA is the International Fuel Tax agreement. You are (may be) required to have an IFTA license if you operate in two or more jurisdictions and the power unit:
* Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs. or higher;
* Has three or more axles regardless of weight; or
* Is used in combination and the said combination is 26,001 lbs. or higher.
This is from the MO DOT page.
Truck Lettering Local sign store, or $50-150 You need to have labelled on both sides of your vehicle, readable from 50 feet while not moving:
Your company name
Home terminal location
US DOT 1234567
MC 123456
Base terminal address...City and State are no longer required
GCWR 26000 specifies my gross combination weight rating.
You might need additional things depending on where you are driving. For example, in Colorado you have to have the last 8 digits of your VIN.
Also if you are leased, this is different too, but the company you are leasing to should help you out with what is required. You can put this on a removable magnet.
Driver Qualification File / Packet $10 You need to create a file for yourself and have it readily available on file at your home terminal. While this seems a little absurd because "I know my own work and driving history" you need to have it in written form for when you get audited but the DOT. OOIDA has these for $7.
Other stuff you might not think about ... Please remember this entire document, while seemingly overwhelming is just the beginning!
Other things you might need:• A written maintenance plan for truck and trailer
• 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch
• Inverter for powering 110v appliances
• Printer - If you use an electronic (computer based) HOS/logging program you need to be able to print our your logs. • Business cards
• CB Radio
• Laptop Computer
• Fax machine or fax to e-mail account (I use MyFax.com)
• Tie downs for your cargo or tarps
• Insurance down payment (can be a good portion of your yearly cost)
• Cell phone
• Other taxes/licenses - Other states you travel to/through may require different licenses. For example in NY, the NY HUT (Highway Use Tax)
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